The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The year Charlie Reibold began working for what is now International Truck & Engine Corp., Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Charlie Reibold, 84, who worked at the International truck manufacturing plant in Springfield for 66 years, was laid off Wednesday. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

The 19-year-old Reibold took home $17.50 a week in 1937. He worked for the truck maker until Wednesday, when the 84-year-old was laid off.

"I didn't think I would be laid off with that much time," Reibold said Friday. "I thought I would be the one to say: 'Well, fellas, I'm done. Goodbye.' I just walked out the front door. I didn't even go back to clean my desk out."

Reibold, of Springfield, worked at various jobs but spent most of the past 20 years at the body plant. After the body plant closed in October, Reibold was transferred to the assembly plant, where he coordinated incoming frames, engines, transmissions and other parts for the assembly line.

Reibold said the job was complicated and that he didn't think he got enough training. He said he apparently didn't do the job to the satisfaction of his supervisor. "Different things kept popping up that I never heard of before," Reibold said.

Reibold said he could be recalled from layoff if there is another job opening, but he doesn't expect it. He has filed a grievance with the company to try to get his job back.

International spokesman Kyle Rose said company policy is not to discuss personnel issues.

Reibold's 66-year employment was interrupted only twice, a nine-month layoff in 1938 and Army service in World War II.

"Everything else came second. The job came first," he said. "That's the way I was raised."

Reibold said he is in good health and never considered retiring for fear of ending up sitting around the house with nothing to do.

But he expects to "just do nothing" now that he's laid off.